Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
'Twilight' Actors Surprise Fans During 4-Day Camp Out
Thousands of diehard "Twilight" fans from all over the world gathered for several days last week as they awaited an early screening of the first of two films covering the last of four books: "Breaking Dawn - Part 1."
If you passed by Chick Hearn Court between Wednesday and Sunday, in the space between the L.A. Live Plaza and the Staples Center, you would have seen two large "tent cities" filled with moviegoers who spent as long as four days outdoors awaiting the film. They endured cold and rain, but on Sunday morning, when Time Warner Cable treated fans to breakfast from Corner Bakery, their spirits were high. They knew something special was in store for them, but they did not know what.
Then, again thanks to Time Warner, fans were treated to appearances by five of the films' stars, who spent several hours giving autographs and taking pictures with fans. As they worked their way down the line, the actors and actresses signed everything from movie posters to guitars to copies of the Twilight books.
Asked about the apparent obsession that motivates people to camp out for the better part of a week, Peter Facinelli, who plays vampire doctor Carlisle Cullen in the films, said, "If I wasn't in the movies, I'd probably be here camping out with my daughters, just because they love the movies so much. It's so cool how this movie brings all these people together. I was going down the line signing autographs, and there were people from Brazil, France, Canada, all over the world...and they're all here for the love of these books and this franchise."
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake. -
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
Best of LAist